Erbium(III) oxide

Erbium(III) oxide

Names
IUPAC name Erbium(III) oxide
Other names Dierbium trioxide Erbia Erbium oxide
Properties
Chemical formula	Er2O3
Molar mass	382.56 g/mol
Appearance	Pink solid
Odor	Odorless
Density	8.64 g/cm3
Melting point	2,344 °C (4,251 °F; 2,617 K)
Boiling point	3,290 °C (5,950 °F; 3,560 K)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Reacts with acids Insoluble in solvents
Vapor pressure	~0 mmHg
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (So298)	155.6 J·mol−1·K−1
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−1,897.9 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point	Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	5.000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Erbium(III) oxide is the oxide of erbium, with the formula Er₂O₃.

Properties

Chemical

Erbium oxide readily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming erbium(III) carbonate. It can react with acids to form the corresponding erbium(III) salts. This makes it a good precursor for many erbium compounds.

Physical

Erbium(III) oxide is a pinkish solid, insoluble in water.

Availability

Erbium(III) oxide is sold by chemical suppliers.

Preparation

Erbium(III) oxide can be prepared by burning erbium metal in air or oxygen atmosphere.

Projects

• Make erbium salts

Handling

Safety

Erbium(III) oxide is toxic when inhaled, taken orally, or injected into the blood stream in massive amounts, though its effect at low concentrations on humans over long periods of time has not been determined.

Storage

In closed bottles, preferably air-tight.

Disposal

Best to recycle this compound.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Very low solubility of erbium oxide in mineral acids